Auroral Electron Precipitation Via Ground-Based and Rocket Measurements

The combination of ground-based imaging at specific optical wavelengths with an atmospheric transport model yields the characteristics of auroral electron precipitation. The ability to infer these characteristics with high confidence without in-situ measurements is a game changer. We will present analysis of two sounding rocket mission case studies that are used to qualitatively evaluate this approach. GREECE (2014) and ISINGLASS (2017) flew through active aurora with common volume ground-based multi-spectral imaging. This work is critical to studies aiming to employ a distributed heterogeneous array to explore the auroral ionosphere. Such was the case of the ARCS MIDEX mission that recently completed its phase A study. The results of this study in totality but also in our particular context have implications for other missions that seek to leverage extensive ground based capabilities whether existing or planned. The GDC mission is a prime example of an upcoming mission where studies such as this one can shape the ground based deployment of distributed arrays and consequently their scientific discoveries.